Automobile-signal.



W. E. JDNES.

AUTOMOBILE SIGNAL.

APPLlCATlON FILED IAN-23, 1914.

' Patented Sept. 26,1916.

5 SHEETS-SHEET I M VL /WWfi domed, BY

a {If W. E. JONES.

AUTOMOBILE SIGNAL.

APPLICATION FILED JAN-23,1914.

' WITNESSES I a M Patented Sept. 26, 1916.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

jigi].

INVENTOH 072/66,

ATTORNEYS W. E. JONES.

AUTOMOBILE SIGNAL.

APPLICATION FILED IAN-23,1914- 1,199,560. PatentedSept. 26, 1916.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

76 Z9 6/ 92. 62 n I 68 i 1 4 llll 52 I WITNESSES ,z/u W Z] ZIIJI/ENTOR VMM /0n( FLgZj W u ATTORNEYS W. E. JONES.

AUTOMOBILE SIGNAL.

APPLICATION FILED JAN-23,1914.

1 1 99,560. Patented Sept. 26, 1916.

5 SHEETSSHEET 4- :16 77 (fl v0. 5 JQW ATTORNEYS W. E. JONES.

AUTOMOBILE SIGNAL.

APPLICATION FILED JAN-23, 1914.

Patented Sept. 26, 1916.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 5- HHHHIIIIIYHIHIIIIIHH.

INVEIITOR WITNESSES M M 569a 7/5/1411 7072g ATTORNEYS WILLIAM EZEKIELJONES, OF ST. LOUIS; MISSOURI;

AUTOMOBILE-SIGNAL.

Specification of Letters Patent. Patented Sept. 26, 1916,

Application filed January 23, 1914. Serial No. 813,927.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, VVILLIAM' E. JONES, a citizen of the United States,and a resident of St. Louis and State of Missouri, have made certain newand useful Improvements in Automobile-Signals, of which the following isa specification.

My invention is an improvement in automobile signals, and has for itsobject to provide a series of signals adapted to be arranged on anautomobile or like vehicle in such manner that when in operativeposition, they will indicate to the occupants of following vehicles,foot 'trafiic and trafiic officers in front, certain indications inregard to the intentions of the driver of the vehicle provided with thesignal, as for instance, that the driver intends to turn in eitherdirection or to slow up, or to communicate any other information, andwherein the signals are normally held in inoperative or.

safety position, by means of releasable latch mechanism operable at willto release the signals, and wherein other mechanism is provided forreturning the exposed signals to inoperative position, the saidmechanism being controlled by the movement of the steering wheel to turnthe vehicle.

A further object of the invention is to provide illuminating meansadjacent to each signal for illuminating'the said signal when inoperative position.

A further object is to provide mechanism controlled by the movement ofthe signals into and out of operative .position for actuating theilluminating means adjacent to the said signals.

A further object is to-pr'ovide an audible signal adjacent to each ofthe first-named signals and so arranged that when the visible signalmoves into operative position it will actuate the audible signal to callthe attention of occupants of following vehicles to'the informationintended to be conveyed by the visible signal.

A further object of the invention is to' provide mechanism for operatingthe signal either manually controlled or electrically controlled, thesaid mechanism-in each instance however, being controlled by themovement of the steering wheel.

In the drawings: Figure 1 is a diagrammatic top plan view of a portionof the frame of an automobile with the improved signals in place, Fig. 2is a rear view of Fig. 1, Fig. 3 is a section of Fig. 1 on the v bileshowing a modified construction, Fig. 13 1s a partial rear view of an.aut-omoblle showing the rear signals, Fig. 14 is a similar view of thefront of an automobile, showing the front signals, Fig. 15 is asectional view of a signal, and the mechanism for returning the signalsto inoperative position, Fig. 16 is a' section on the line 1616 of Fig.15, Fig. 17 is a side View of the signal'returning mechanism shown inFig.

15, Fig. 18 is a section on the line 18-18 of Fig. 17, looking in thedirection of the arroWs,'Fig'.. 19 is a vertical section of the switchcasing used in connection with the steering post, Fig. 20 is atransverse vertical section of the said switch casing, Fig.

21 is an enlarged section through a signal,

showing the releasing mechanism for the signal, and mechanisminconnection .with the said signal for operating. a bell or the like,Fig. 22 is a vertical section of a modified co nstruction, Fig. 23 is adiagrammatic view showing the wiring of the returning mechanism for thesignals, Fig. 24 is a side view of a modified constructionfor rcturningthe signals to inoperative position, with parts broken away, .ig. 25 isatop plan View of Fig. 24, Fig. 26 is a diagrammatic view showing thewiring for the returning mechanism of Figs. 24 and 25, and Fig. 27 is adiagrammatic View of the wiring for the illuminating means for thesignals, Fig. 28 is a detailed view of the mechanically operated signalshowing the spring for projectingv it to operative position. v

The embodiment of the invention shown in Figs. l'to 11 inclusive, is thesimplest embodiment of the invention, the returning mechanism for thesignals being mechanically controlled. The said embodiment is shown inconnection with the frame 1 of an automobile, and the signals areconnected with the rear of the automobile, and with the front thereof.

Each of the signals 20 is arranged within a casing 22- and the saidsignals are four in number, and are arranged at the corners of thevehicle, two signals being arranged at the rear of the vehicle and twoat the front. Each signal in the present instance is cut to represent apointing hand, and the said sign ls are pivoted in the casings 22 insuch manner that they may be swung into the casing into approximatelyvertical or safety position, or out of the casing into approximatelyhorizontal or danger position, each casing having the outer side open topermit the movement above mentioned.

Each signal may, if desired, be provided with the legend Turn on itsouter face, the legend being so arranged that when the signal is indanger position, the legend will be horizontal and will be outside ofthe casing. Each signal has a coil spring 25, arranged on the outer sideof the pivotal connection of the signal in such manner that the springwill swing the signal into danger position when the signal is released.

A flexible member 15 as for instance, a

'wire or cord, is connected with each signal and each of the saidflexible members passes from the signal over pulleys 19 to a connectionwith mechanism for returning the signals to safety position. The saidreturning mechanism is arranged within the sectional casing 2-2supported by the frame of the vehicle at the steering post bearingsleeve 3, and the steering post 4 passes through the I casing as shownin Figs. 3 and 4. The plane tends through the dash 6 of the vehicle, and

' the steering wheel 7 is secured to the steering for movement in eachofthestraight pas form a chamber.

postin the usual manner. Each section 2 and 2 of the casing is recessedat its inner edge and the recesses 8 and'8 cooperate to Within thechamber the upper and lower walls of the sections of the casing aregrooved, and the grooves register to form at each side of the steeringpost, a straight passage 9 and acurved passage 10, which communicates ateach end with the adjacent end of the adjacent straight passage 9. A

Each passage 9 opens at the rear or lower end of the section and aplunger is mounted.

f-s'a'ges' and in the adjacent curved passage. Each of the plungers(F1g..11-'comprises a main orbody portion 11 and a head '12 connected.to the main or body portion by means of parallel laterally spacedconnecting bars 13, the said body portion, head and connecting bars,being however, an integral structure. The main or body portion 11 ofeach plunger and the head'12 of the same are of the same width and thepassages .9

and of each section are of a'depth cor-' responding to the width of theplunger, and the said head and body engage the opposite groovesconstituting the passage to guide catch has the face adjacent to thebody perpendicular to the plunger and the other face inclined, as shownin Figs. 4 to 6 inclusive. The flexible members 15 of the signals ateach side of the automobile are connected to the adjacent plunger at thelower end of the casing as shown in Figs. 4:, 5 and 6, and the pulleys19 over which the flexible members pass are so arranged that when theplungers move longitudinally of the casing, in one direction, thesignals will be swung into their casings against the resistance of thesprings. Thus it will be seen that the signals at each side of thevehicle are connected to a common plunger, the arrangement being suchthat the signals at either side of the vehicle may be returned to safetyposi- 1313B independently of the signals at the other s1 e. r r

The plungers are moved in one direction by the springs connected withthe signals to which the plungers are-connected and in the oppositedirection by the steering post; The steering post is provided withinthe'chamber 8-8 with two radial arms, each arm consisting of twosections 16 and16. The section 16 of each arm is connected to thesection 16 of the armby a rule joint, so that the said section 16 of thearm may swing in one direction, but cannot swing in the oppositedirection beyond a positionin alinement with the section 16.

A plate spring 17 is secured to the section V 16 of each arm at one end,and the free end of each spring bears against the section 16 of the armto normally hold the sections in alinement. The arms 1616 are of suchthickness that they may pass freely, between the connecting bars 13 ofthe plunger. A plate spring 18 is secured to the casing in each of thepassages 9, and each of the springs is adapted to engage the adjacentplunger to move the plunger from the passage 9to the passage 10. Thesprings 18 bear against the inner sides of the plungers when theplungers are moving toward the upper ends of the passages 9, and holdthe plungers against the outerwalls of the said passages" 9, until thehead of the plunger has moved beyond or above the apices 27 of theelevations 26 between thegrooves at each casing section, and the saidpoint causes the head 12 of the plunger to move in the passage 10, asthe plunger moves toward th rear end of the casing.

An arm 28 extends radially from the steering post adjacent to each ofthe arms 1616 and in rear thereof, and each of the said arms 28 is ofgreater length than the perpendicular from the steeringpost to theadjacent wall of the adjacent passage 9. The plungers are moved towardthe front of the casing 22 by means of the arms 16-16'-. The hingeconnection between the section of the.arm prevents the outer sectionfrom swinging rearwardly with respect to the inner section, and each arm1616 is arranged to extend between the connecting bars of the adjacentplungers and to engage the head of the plunger to move the plunger whenthe steering post is oscillated in the proper direction.

Referring to Figs. l, 5 and 6, it will be noticed-that in Fi 4 the arm1616 at the right of the said gure has just engaged the head of theadjacent plunger. As the steering post is oscillated toward the left,the arm will move the plunger ,forwardly, as shown in Fig. 5 until thehead of the plunger 1S adjacent to the apices 27 of the enlargements 26.As soon as the head passes beyond the said apices, the adjacent spring18 will act to move the plunger laterally into the passage 10.

Just as the free end of the outer section 16 of the arm 1616*- isleaving the head, the free end of the adjacent arm 28 begins to contactwith the connecting bars of the said plunger, and as the steering postis further oscillated toward the left, the said arm 28 and the adjacentspring 18 will move the head of the plunger outwardly away from thesteering post and into the upper end of the adjacent passage 10. Withineach passage 10 a latch 38 is arranged, the said latch being near'theapices 27, and in positionto engage the head of the plunger, to hoid itagainst rearward movement under the pull of the springs connected withthe signals. a

The latches 38 when released will permit the plungers to moverearwardly. It is obvious that any mechanism may be provided forreleasing the latches and such mechanism may be arranged whereverconvenient. As long however, as the said latches are in position to beengaged by the head, the plunger cannot move rearwardly. A latch bar 37supports each'latcli, and each of the said latches or lugs 38 is movablethe same.

through an opening in the casing 22 it being understood that a latch isprovided for each passage 10.

When the plunger is in the position shown at the left' of Fig. 4, thesignals are in safety position, that is, they are swung into theirrespective casings and as long as the plunger remains in this position,the signals will be so held in inoperative position.

are both in the position shown at the left of Fig. 42, that is, heldfrom rearward movement by the latches 38. When either latch is released,the springs connected with the signals pertaining to the plunger willswing the signals into danger position, and will draw the plungerrearwardly, the head of the plunger moving in the adjacent passage 10until the plunger reaches the position shown at the right of Fig. 4.vThe plate spring 18 which is connected with the casing at the outerwall of each passage 10, presses the adjacent plunger against the innerwall of the passage 9, to insure the proper engagement of the plunger'bythe arm 1616 v When the steering post 4 is operated to move the plungerat the right of Fig. 4 toward the top of the casing, the arm 16 16 atthe left of the steering post may sw ng by the plunger at the leftWithout affecting The free end of the outer section of the arm engagesthe beveled face of the catch 14; the said outer section will be swungat an angle to the inner SGClZlQIl to permit the arm to move by the headof the plunger. The springs 18 have their free ends slottedlongitudinally as indicated in Figs. 4 to 6 to permit the passage of thearm 1616 It will be noticed from an inspection of Fig. 11 that each endof the head 12 of the plunger is rabbeted as shown atj30 and that thecatch 14 is of a width corresponding to the width of the space betweenthe bars 13. In other words, the catch is just wide enough forengagementby the arms 16-16 The arms 28 are for supplementing thesprings 18, and for positively insuring that the plunger heads will passoutslde of the apices 27 of the elevations 26. Each 'of the signals 20is adapted to be illuminated by means of an electric light'arrangedwithin a reflector and protecting casing 23, which will be laterdescribed.

vThe operation. is as follows: When the driver decides to turn thevehicle, and wishes to display a signal announcing his Itwillbeunderstood that normally the'plungers intention, he will release thelatch 38 of the tive caslngs into horizontal or danger posi- 45 the arm34 and the link 35 will take the potion, thus announcing to allconcerned that of the vehicle are in danger position, and

the steering post is holding the wheels to turn the vehicle to theright.

As soon as the vehicle has turned, the driver will turn the steeringpost to the left,

and the arm'16 16. at the right of the' steering post will engage thehead of the adjacent plunger and will move it longitudinally of thepassage 9 toward the front of the casing2-2 until it passes the points27,

when the spring 18 and'the adjacentarm 28 will push the head outwardlyinto the passage 10, where the head will be engaged with the adjacentlatch 38 to hold the plunger with the signals in safety position.

Mechanism is also provided for permitting the driver to return thesignals to safety position without turning the steering wheel, forinstance in case the driver should change his mind in regard to turningafter he had displayed his signals announcing his intention.- The saidmechanism comprises a shaft 31 journaled in the casing adjacent to eachplunger, and in a bearing arm 32 on the steering post sleeve 3. The saidshafts are parallel with the steering post, and each shaft is providedwith an arm or handle 33 at its upper end for convenience in operatingthe shaft.

Within the casing 2--2 each shaft is provided with a rigid radial arm34, and the freeend of each arm is connected to the adjacent plunger bymeans of a link 35. Each of ,the links is pivoted to the plunger betweenthe connecting bars 13 and adjacent to the main or body portion 11 ofthe plunger. Referring to Fig. 4, it will be evident that when thesignals at the right of the vehicle are in danger position the shaft 31,

sition shown at the right of the said figure. Should the drivfi desireto return the signals to safety position, without movin the steeringpost he will oscillate. the sha 31 by means of the handle connectedthereto in a direction to swing the arm 34 toward the top of the casing,thus the plunger will be moved as indicated in Fi 5 and 6 into theposition shown at the le of Fig. 4 and in engagement with its latch.

In the embodiment of the invention shown in F igs. 12 to 20 inclusive,the signals are returned to inoperative position, by electrically'operated mechanism, and the said mechanism is electrically controlledthrough clined position, and a switch casing 43 of ap-.

proximately cylindrical form incloses a portion of the post at the dash.The edges of the casing are flanged as shown at 44, and secured to thefront face of the dash.

The steering post is rovided with a flexible switch arm of con uctingmaterial insulated at its base from the steering post, and the said armis provided with a binding post .45 for a purpose to be later mentioned.

Contact plates 46 and 46*" are supported by the switch casing, and eachplate consists of a. lower portion of conducting material and an upperportion of non-conducting material. The plates are passed throughopenings in the wall of the switch casing.

Each plate is provided with a binding post 47 and 47*- respectively'outside the easing. The plane of each plate is inclined with respect tothe switch arm 45, and is so arranged that the said arm will engage theface of the plate at approximately the center thereof. The arrangementis such that when the steering post is turned in onedirection, theswitch arm 45 will engage the upper face of the plate toward which thepost is turned, and will move in contact with the said face of the plateuntil it passes over the upper end ofthe plate. When the steering postis turned in the opposite direction, the switch arm will engage theunder face of the plate and will move in con tact therewith until itpasses ofi the lower edge of the plate.

The binding posts 47 and 47 are connected with the under or conductingportion of the plates, and a lead wire 48 is connected with each bindingpost. A lead wire 48 is connected to the binding post of the switch arm45, and the said lead wires 48 and 48" are portion of an'electricalcircuit, to be described. Signal casings 49 and 49 are arranged at thefront of the vehicle,

the said casings being at the ends of the dash,

and other signal casings 50 and 50" are arranged at the rear of thevehicle, the said casings being at opposite sides thereof,

The signals 52 in the casings 49-49- 5050 are arranged to indicate theturning of the automobile and if desired. an

additionaLsignal casing 51 may be arranged intermediate the sides of thevehicle at therear thereof, the said signal indicating caution. Thesignals 52 may be of any character, in the present instance being in therepresentation of a pointing hand and each of the said signals may bearthe legend Turn. The signal 54 in the casing 51 is in the presentinstance 'merely a plate on which is the legend Go slow. It is obviousher and hence but one will be described,

namely, the signal 52 in the casing 50. Each of the casings as shown inFig. 16 is of box-like form having its outer side open and the signal ispivoted on a journal pin 55, arranged transversely of the casing, arbors56 and 56*- being arranged on "the pin be- -position being shown indotted lines and the latter in full lines in Fig. 15.

A coil spring 57 is connected at one end to the signal at the outercorner and outside of the journal pin, and at the other end to thecasing in such manner that the spring acts normally'to swing the signalinto the dotted line position of Fig. 15. Each signal is normally heldin inoperative position against the esistance of the spring by means ofa spring plate 58 having at its upper end a catch 59 for engaging over aroller 60, which is journaled between arms 61 extending longitudinallyfrom the signal at the inner corner thereof.

The lower end of the plate spring is secured to the inner end of acasing 62, which is supported immediately in rear of the signal casingand extending into the said casing below the signal. An electric magnet63 is arranged within the casing 62 and the core 64 of the magnet is inposition to act upon the plate spring 58 as an armature, to release thecatch from the roller when the magnet is energized. It will be evidentthat when the magnet is energized the upper end of the plate spring willbe drawn toward the magfiiet, thus releasing the roller from the cuteThe terminals 150 and 151 of the winding of the magnet are interposedinan electrical circuit to be presently described, themag nets of thosesignals which are at the same side of the vehicle being interposed inthe same circuit, so that all of the signals at each side of the vehiclemay be simultaneously released. The magnet of the signal 54 isinterposed in an independent circuit.

An illuminating device in the present instance, an incandescent globe,66 is arranged adjacent to each signal casing in position to illuminatethe signals, and e legend thereon, when the signal is in operativeposition. Each globe-66 has a shield and reflector 67 partiallyinclosingthe same, and directing the rays of light from the globe towardthe signal, each of the said shields and reflectors being supportedbythe signal casing. 1

All of the five signals are returned to inoperative p os1tion by anelectromagnet 69 arranged w thin a casing 70 mounted at any suitablepoint, inthe present instance it the rear of the vehicle and betweenthesignal casing 51 and the signal casing 50. The -core71 of theelectrornagnet 69 is provided with an extension 7 2 having a slot 73near its outer end and having a laterally extending movable switch arm74 insulated from the extension. The switch arm 74 is provided with abinding post 74. and the said arm is adapted for cooperation with aswitch, 'to be later described.

A bracket arm 75 extends longitudinally from the casing 70 above thecore, and a lever 76 is pivoted to the bracket arm intermediate the endsof the lever. The lower end of the lever engages the slot 73 beforementioned, and the upper end of the lever is provided with a series ofopenings 77 for the attachment of flexible members 78, 79, 80 and 81.Each of the said flexible members connects the lever with a signal, anddirection elements 82 as for instance pulleys, are pro- 4 vided forguiding the flexible members between the respective signals and thelever.

A flexible member 83 connects the end of the extension 72 with theadjacent signal 52 in the casing 50. The flexible members 7 8- 798083are so arranged that when the lever 76 is swung in one direction,traction will be made upon all the cords in a direction to swing thesignal to which the cord is connected into its casing.

The lever 76 is moved by the core 71 of the magnet 69 and the magnet isenergized to cause the core to move within the same by means of switchmechanism to be later described. The said switch mechanism is in theform of a push button preferably arranged on the steering wheel, theoperation of which initiates the movement of the core. The continuedmovement of the core is brou ht about by the switch with which the arm-it'cotiperates.

The switch 85 is connected with the under side of the casing 70, and thesaid mechanism comprises a contact plate '85 having an inclined orbeveled track 86, connecting at its lower and upperends with a straightplate or strip 88 is supported by the block,

the said plate or strip having a binding post 88. The free-end of theflexible switch arm 74 contacts with the strip or plate 88 when the core71 is in the position shown in full lines Fig. 15, and when the core ismovi g into the magnet coilthe switch arm moves between the inclinedplate or bar 89 and the inclined track 86 until the switch arm passesout from beneath the lower end of the said bar 89.

As the core moves out of the coil, the switch arm travels above theinsulating block 90,. as indicated in dotted lines in Flg. 17 until theextremity of the arm passes 06' the upper end of the said block, anddrops into contact with the strip 88*. The wiring of the connectionsbetween the magnet 69 and the switch just described, is shown in Fig. 23wherein it will be seen that the switch arm 45 of the steering post isconnected to the binding post 88 of the contact strip 88 by means of alead wire 48, while' the lead wires 48 from the contact plates 46 and 46are connected with one of the terminals of the magnet 69. The otherterminal of the magnet is connected to the binding post on the switcharm 74 by means of a lead wire 65. w

A lead wire 65 is connected at one end to the binding post 85 of thecontact plate 85*, and the other end of the said lead wire is branchedon the wire 48 adjacent tothe contact plate 46 and between the saidcontact plate and the plate 46*. It will be noticed from an inspectionof Fig. 23 that the wire 48 which connects the one terminal of themagnet 69 with the contact plates 46 and 46 branches near the contactplates, one branch being connected to each plate. The wire 65? isconnected to that branch which goes to the plate 46, and a battery 93 isarranged in the said wire 48 between the junction of the branch wiresand the magnet 69. It will be evident that when the steering post 40 isturned in either direction to turn the vehicle, the switch arm 45 willcontact with the upper face of one of the contact plates 46 or 46 andthe switch arm moves in contact with the nonconducting upper face of theplate until it passes off at the upper end of the said plate.

' As the steering wheel is moved in the reverse direction to straightenout the wheels, the flexible switch arm will contact with the conductingunderface of the plate, and will close the circuit through the magnet69, the current passing by one of the contact plates 46 or 46 asthe casemay be, and the lead wire 48 to and through the winding of the magnet,and by way of the lead wires 65 to the switch arm 74. The said arm is incontactwith the strip 88 and the current will pass by way of the saidstrip and the binding post 88 and the lead wire 48 to the switch arm 45,thus, completing the circuit. The core will begin immediately to mpveinto the coil, and when .the switch arm; 74 passes off of the contactstrip 88", the circuit through the coil would be broken were not somemechanism provided to retain the circuit closed. The' said mechanism isthe contact bar 89 with which the flexible switch arm 74 contacts shouldit move out of contact with the strip 88. The current now passes fromthe switch arm 74 to the contact strip or plate or bar 89, and by way ofthe lead wires to the magnet. Thus the current through the magnet ismaintained until the core has been entirely withdrawn within the magnetand the switch arm passes off at the lower end of the contact bar 89.

The lever 76 will be swung in a direction to make traction on theflexible members 7 87980-83 to simultaneously return all of the signalsto inoperative position that are not already in suchposition. It will beunderstood that when the signals at one side of the core are releasedand the returning mechanism is operated to return, those flexiblemembers which are connected to the signals in safety position, willmerely be tightened to take up the slack or looseness in the saidflexible members.

As before stated, it is necessary to provide mechanism for returning thesignals to safety position, regardless of the movement of the steeringwheel, and with the above construction such mechanism is provided for byarranging a push button 96 in convenient position to be operated by thedriver, in the present instance, the button being on the dash.Lead'wires 97 and 97 lead from the terminals of the push button and arebranched on to the lead wires 48 and 48 in parallel with the switch arm45 and the contact plates 4646.

It will be evident that when the button is operated to close thecircuit, the magnet 69 will be energized as above described to operatethe lever 7 6 to return those signals which are in danger position. Asabove mentioned, an illuminating means is arranged adjacent toeachsignal, the said means being in the present instance, mounted on thesignal casings. Each of the said illuminating means comprises anincandescent globe 66, and a shield or reflector 67 so arranged thatwhen the signal is in danger position as indicated in dotted lines inFig. 13, the rays will be thrown directly on to the'outer exposed faceof the signal. a

In Figs; 24 and 25 a motor is provided for returning the signals'toinoperative positionl' Thesmotor 117 is arranged within astance, a cordor wire, and the other end of the flexible member is connected with aneye 124 on a block or weight 125, which moves in the guide casing 126connected to the motor casing by anangle bracket 127. Both ends of theguide casing are open, and

flexi le members 78*, 79*, 80*, 81 and 83 extend from the opposite endof the guide casing from the motor, each'of the said members having oneend connected with an eye 128 on the block and the other end with thesignal.

The flexible members pass over a guide pulley 129 supported by asubstantially U- shaped bracket 130 at the end of the guide casingremote from the motor, and over. guide pulleys 82 supported in brackets131 to the signals, the pulleys 129 and 82 being direction .elements forthe flexible members. The guide casing 126 is provided with alongitudinally extending slot 132 in one side, and a switch arm 133 isconnected with the block, the said arm extending through the slot. Thearm is insulated from the block and is provided with a binding post 134.r

The free end of the switch arm cotiperates with the switch shown in Fig.17, and'the said arm is flexible, similar in all respects to the switcharm 74, before described, and operating in the same manner. The wiringfor the construction shown in Figs. 24 and 25 is shown in Fig. 26 and issubstantially the same as that shown in Fig. 23. A lead wire 48 isconnected at one end withone of the terminals 119 of the motor, and atits other end the said wire is branched, the branches being connected tothe contact plates 46 and 46. Another lead wire connects the bindingpost 85 on the contact plate 85 with that branch of the wire 48 whichgoes to the contact plate 46. A bat v tery 93 is arranged in the leadwire 48 between the junction of the branches and the binding post 119. Alead wire 65 connects the terminal 120 of the motor with the switch arm133, and the said motor takes the place of the coil 69. The operation isin all respects the same, the motor rotating to wind up the flexiblemember 123 to move the block in a direction to swing the signals intoinoperative position, and the signals are moved into operative positionby the springs connected therewith.

In Fig. 15, meizhanism is shown for permitting each signal to operateits illuminating means as the signal moves into operative position. Thesaid construction comprises a switch consisting of a spring plate 100,connected to the signal casing and insulated therefrom by means of aninsulating support 101. The spring plate is adapted to coiiperate with acontact plate 102 mounted on an insulated support 103, arranged belowthe support 101. The free end of the spring plate is normally held byits own resiliency out of contact with the fixed plate 102, and theterminals of the circuit in which the lamp 66 adjacent to the signal isinterposed, are connected with the plates 100 and 102.

' at 6am iota-presets on the arts for engaging the movable element 100of the switch, to force the said element into contact with the element102 to complete the circuit through the lamp. This cam or switch arm 104is so arranged that the plate 100 will be held in contact with the plate102 by the cam when the signal is in operative position, as shown indotted lines in Fig. 15. r

If'desired, an audible signal may be used in connection with the visualsignal as for instance, a bell 105 connected with the casing by means ofa post 106. The'bell may be in any convenient position, being in thepresent instance outside the casing, and the clapper (not shown) of thebell is operated by means of an angle bar, consisting of an 'arm 107,extending through a slot 108 in the casing wall and connected to theclapper, and an arm 109 extending into position for engagement by thecam or operating arm 104, before mentioned. The arm 109 is arranged .tobe engaged by the cam during the movement of the signal into operativeposition, and before the said cam engages the switch plate 100.

In Fig. 22, a modified construction is shown, wherein a casing 1l0isprovided, separated into three compartments by partitions 111. Thesignals 112 are journaled on a journal pin 113, which is arrangedtransversely of the casing, and passes 'through the partitions, and thesignals are held in proper position on the pin by means of arbors orsleeves 114. With this construction, two of the signals 112 may'bearranged in opposite directions, and the said signals may berepresentations of pointing hands, bearing the legend Turn while theother signal may bear the signal Go slow. The signals are operated bothas to release and return, in precisely the same manner as those alreadydescribed. With this construction, the bell 115 is arranged below thecasing, and the clapper is designed to be operated by means of any orall of three arms 116, the said arms extending into the respectivecompartments of the casing.

for engaging the. arms to operate them as for instance, a cam or armsimilar to the arni 104 shown in Fig. 21. Each signal 112 may bearranged to actuate its own light circuit, in the same manner as shownin Fig. 15. The movable switch arms 100 are shown in the saidconstruction, one of the said arms being arranged in each compartment.

It will be understood that preferably the arrangement is such that allof the signals at each side ofthe automobile may be simultaneouslyreleased, to permit the springs connected therewith to move them intooperative or danger position. In the construction of "Figs. 1 to 11- thereleasing mechanism is a latch bar 38, while in the construction shownin Figs. 12 to 26, the signals are held in safety position by releasable latches, which are operated electrically to release thesignals. The magnets driver and the push button 92 at the right Leadwires 152 and 153 are connected with the terminals of the adjacent pushbutton, as shown in Fig. 12. When either push button is depressed toclose the circuit, the magnets 63 at that side of the vehicle will beenergized to move the latch plates 58 toward the magnets to release thesignals.

The magnet of the go slow signal is 1nterposed in an independent circuitof its own, and the lead wires 94 and 94 from the magnet belonging tothe releasing mechanism of the said signal are connected with the pushbutton 95 on the steering wheel and at the front thereof. This signal 54may be released by means of the push button 95 whenever desired and inconnection with either set of signals, that is, with the signals at theright or those at the left of the vehicle, or independent of either setof signals.

The wiring of the lamp for illuminating the respective signals is shownin Fig. 27. The lamps 66 are arranged in parallel in a circuitconsisting of lead wires 99 and 99? respectively. The battery 93 isarranged in a circuit, as is also a switch 98, the said switch beingpreferably on the dash adja-. cent to the pushbutton 96 and inconvenient position to be operated by the driver.

It will be noted from an inspection of Fig. 27, that each lamp 66 andthe. switch 100102 which operates the lamp to light the same when thesignal is swung into operative or danger position, are'arranged betweenthe lead wires, that is, each lamp and its switch is in parallel witheach other lamp and switch, so that any signal lamp may be operated byits switch without affecting the other lamps, and by means of the switch98 the circuit of all of the lamps may be simultaneously broken.

A single battery 93 is provided for all of the circuits above specified.Whatever the arrangement of the returning mechanism for the signals, thesignals are normally held in safety position by means of releasablelatch mechanism. In the construction of Figs.1 to 11 inclusive, the saidmechanism is the latch bar 37, while inthe oonstruction of Figs. -11 to22, the said'meehaneath the contact plate 46 nism is the latch plate orbar 58. The bar 37 shown in Fig. 9 may be operated in precisely the samemanner as the latch bar 58, if desired.

The operation of the device is as follows :When the driver intends toturn the vehicle, he .will release the signals at that side of thevehicle toward which he intends to turn, by operating the proper pushbutton or other releasing mechanism, as for instance, with theconstructions of Figs. 12 to 26, should the driver desire to turn totheright, he will depress the push button 92. The circuit in which themagnets 63 at that side of the vehicle are interposed Will thus beclosed, and the circuit will be energized, causing the cores of themagnets to operate thelatch plates to release the signal.

The springs 57 will swing the signals at that side of the vehicle intooperative or danger position. After night or when too dark to see thesignals easily, the switch 98 will be closed, so that when the signalsswing into operative or danger position the lamps adjacent to thesignals will be actuated to illuminate the signals. If desired,

the driver will also release the go slow signal. While the turn is beingmade, the switch arm 45 moves over a non-conducting face of the plate46, (with a turn to the right) and the signals are unaffected. As hestraightens out the wheels for the straight away, the switch arm 45moves beand in contact with the conducting face thereof, thus closingthe circuit through the magnet 69 or through the motor 117 as the casemay be. In either case, the returning mechanism 1s actuated to returnthe signals.

In Fig. 15 the core moving into the magnet returns the signals while inFig. .24 the rotation of the motor winding up the flexible member 123returns the signals. As soon as a signal is insafety' position, thecatch59 of the latch bar 58gslips over the roller 60, thus holding thesignals in safety position, until they are again released. In case thedriver changes his mind about turning after he has displayed thesignals, it is only necessary to press the push button 96 in order torestore the signals to safety position. The depression of the button 96closes the circuit 48-48, thus energizing the magnet 69 or the motor117, and causing the said magnet or motor to return the signals toinoperative position.

In the construction shown in Figs. 1 to 11 inclusive, the movement ofthe steering wheel to straighten out the wheels after the turn has beenmade, operates the returmng mechanism for the signals mechanlcally, thesteering post positively engaglng the returning mechanism to return thesignals.

In the construction of Figs. 15 and 24,

the movement of the steering post -to straighten out the wheels afterturning closes the circuit which energizes the returning mechanism, sothat the movement of the steering post indirectly operates to return thesignals. a

It' will be noted froman inspection of Figs. 4, 5 and 6, that thesections 16 and 16 of each of the arms are normally held in alinement by.a plate spring 17 There is also a spring 18 connected with the casingat the outer side of each passage 10, and the free end, of eachspring isin position to engage the adjacent plunger to insure that the saidplunger will be engaged by the adjacent arm '1616*, and to hold the saidplunger from lateral movement when engaged by the arm.

I claim 1. In combination with an automobile, of casings at each side ofthe frame at the front and the rear, a casing at the center of the rearof the frame, a signal pivoted in each casing, the pivotal connection ofeach signal being at the lower outer corner, to permit the signal toswing outwardly into approximately horizontal position or inwardly intoapproximately vertical position, springs acting normally to swing thesignals outwardly into operative positlon, a catch in connection witheach signal for normally holding the same in vertical position withinthe casing, said catches being'resilient and normally in position toengage the signal and hold it in vertical position, a magnet adjacent toeach catch, the catches being armatures of the magnets, a normally openelectric circuit for the magnets of the catches at each side of theframe, a press button on the stering wheel at each side thereof andinterposed in the adjacent circuit for closing the circuit to energizethe magnets at the said side of the automobile to release the catches, anormally open electric circuit for the magnet of the catch at the centerof the rear of the automobile, a

press button on the steering wheel at the front thereof andinterposed inthe circuit for closing the circuit to energize the said magnet, and acommon means for simul taneously returning all of the signals toinoperative position, said means comprising a magnet provided with amovable core, a lever pivoted adjacent to the magnet, the core having anopening through which one end of'the lever extends to swing the leverwhen the core is moved into andout of the magnet, a connection betweenthe other end of the' -lever' and sundry 'of the signals, a

connection between'the core and sundry of the-signals for returning thesignals when thecore 'moves into the magnet, a normally open electriccircuit in which the winding of the magnet is inter osed, meansoperatedby the steering post 0 the vehicle 'when'the said-post is returned tostraighten the wheels after the turning of the vehicle, for closing thesaid circuit to energize the magnet, a switch adjacent to the magnet andinterposed in the last-named circuit, a switch arm on the core andcooperating with the switch to retain the circuit closed, while the coreis moving into the magnet, means adjacent to the steering post forclosing the said circuit independent of the movement of the steeringpost, an electric lamp adjacent to each signal arranged to illuminatethe signal when the signal is in operative position, a normally openelectric circuit for all of the said lamps and in which the lamps arearranged in parallel, a switch in connection with each casing andoperated by the movement of the signal into operative position forenergizing the adjacent lamp, and a switch adjacent to the steeringwheel and interposed in the light circuit for closing the same. a

2. In combination with an automobile, of casings at each side of theframe at the front and the rear, a signal pivoted in each casing,*thepivotal connection of each signal being at the lower outer corner topermit the signal to swing outwardly into approximately horizontalposition orinwardly into approximately vertical position, springsactintooperative position, a catch in connection with each signal fornormally holding the same in vertical position within the casing, saidcatch being resilient and norinally in position to engage the signal andhold it in verticalposition, a magnet adjacent to each catch,the catchesbeing armatures of the magnets, a normally open electric circuit for themagnets of the catches at each side of the frame, .a press button on thesteering wheel at each side thereof, and interposed in the adjacentcircuit for closing the circuit to energize the magnets at the said sideof the automobile to release the catches, and a common means forsimultaneously returning all of the signals to inoperative position,said means comprising a magnet provided with a movable core, a leverpivoted adjacent to the magnet, the core having an opening through whichone end of the lever extends to swing the lever when the core is movedinto and out of the magnet, a connection between the other end of thelever and sundry of the signals,

a connection between the core and sundry of the signals for returningthe signals when the core moves into the magnet, a normally openelectric circuit in'which the w1nd1ng of the magnet is interposed, meansoperated bythe steering'post of the vehicle when the said post isreturned to straighten the wheels i after the turning ofthe vehicle,f-or closing the said circuit to energize the magnet, a switch adjacentto the magnet and intering normally to swing the signals outwardly posedin the last-named circuit, and a switch arm on the core and cooperatingwith the switch to retain the circuit closed, while the core is movinginto the magnet.

'3. In combination with an automobile, of

I casings at each side of the frame at the front and the rear, a casingat the center of the rear of the frame, a signal pivoted 1n each casing,the pivotal connection of each signal being at the lower outer corner topermit the signal to swing outwardly into approximately horizontalposition or inwardly into approximately vertical position, springsacting normally to swing the signals outwardly into operative position,a catch in connection with each signal for normally holding the energizethe magnets at the said side of the automobile to release the catches, acommon means for simultaneously returning all of the signals toinoperative position, and means operated by the movement of the steeringpost when returning" the wheels to the straight away position to actuatethe said common means.

4:- In combination with an automobile, of casings at each side of theframe at the front and the rear, a casing at the center of the rear ofthe frame, a signal pivoted in each casing, the pivotal connection ofeach signal being at the lower outer corner, to permit the signal .toswing outwardly into approximately horizontal position or inwardly intoapproximately vertical position, springs actlng normally to swing thesignals outwardly into operative position, and a catch in connectionwith each signal for normally holding the same in vertical positionwithin the casing, a common means for returning all of the signals toinoperative position, and means operated by the movement of the steeringpost when returning-the wheels to the straight away position to actuatethe said common means.

5. In combination with an automobile, of signal casings at each sidethereof, a signal pivoted in each casing for swinging movement out ofthe casing into approximately horizontal position and into the easinginto approximately vertical position, a s ring in connection with eachsignal an acting normally to swing the signal outward, a resilient catchin connection with each signal, and arranged to engage the signal whenit is swung inwardly and hold the signal in inward position, means forreleasing the catches of the signals at each side of the vehicle, meanson the steering wheel at each side thereof for actuating the releasingmeans at the said side of the vehicle, a common means for simultaneouslyreturning all of the signals to inoperative position, and means operatedby the movement of the steering post when returning the wheels to thestraight away position to actuate the said common returning means,illuminatin means adjacent to veach signal and arrange to illuminate thesignal when the said signal is in operative position, said illuminatingmeans being controlled by the movement of the signal into and out ofoperative position. 6. In combination with an automobile, of signalcasings at each side thereof, a signal pivoted in. each casing forswinging movement out of the casing into approximately horizontalposition and into the easing into approximately vertical position, aspring in connection with each signal and acting normally to swing thesignal outward, a resilient catch in connection with signal, andarranged to engage the signal when it is swung inwardly and hold thesignal in inwardposition, a common means for releasing the catches ofthe signals at each side of the vehicle, a common means on the steeringwheel at each side thereof for actuating the releasing means at the saidside of the vehicle, a common means for simultaneously returning all ofthe signals to inoperative position, and means operated by the steeringpost as it is returned to normal position to straighten the wheels ofthe vehicle after the vehicle has been turned for actuating the saidcommon releasing means.

7. A signaling device for automobiles, comprising in combination withthe automobile, of a casing for the signal, a signal pivoted in thecasing for swinging out of the casing into approximately horizontalpositionand into the casing into approximately vertical position, aspring normally acting to swing the signal out of the casing, aresilient catch within the casing and arranged to engage the signal asit moves into the casing and to hold the signal in inoperative position,means for releasing the catch, means controlled by the return movementof the steering post to original position for returning the signals tonoperative position, an illuminating means adjacent to the signal, andmeans controlled by the movement of the signal nto and out of operativeposition for actuating the illuminating means.

8. signaling device for automobiles, comprising in combination with theautomobile, of a casing for the signal, a signal pivoted in the casingfor swinging out of the easing into approximately horizontal 'positionand into the casing into approximately vertical position, a springnormally each operative acting to swing the signal out of the casing, aresilient catch withinthe casing and arranged to engage the signal as itmoves into the casing and to hold the signal in inoperative position,means for releasing the catch, an audible signal mobile, of a casing forthe signal, a signal pivoted in the casing for swinging out of thecasing into approximately horizontal position and into the easing intoapproximately vertical position, a spring normally acting to swing thesigna out of the casing, a resilient catch within the casing andarranged to engage the signal as it moves into the casingand to hold thesignal in inoperative position, means for releasing the catch, and meanscontrolled by the return of the steering post to normal position afterthe vehicle has been turned for returning the signals to inoperativeposition.

10. A signal for automobiles of the character specified, comprising acasing having one side open, a signal within the casing and pivotallyconnected thereto to swing into and out of the casing, a spring actingnormally to swing the signal outwardly, a resilient catch for holdingthe signal in inoperative position within the casing, means operablefrom a distance for releasing the catch, and means, controlled by thereturn movement of the steering post to normal position, for moving thesignal to inoperative position, an illuminating means adjacent to thesignal, and controlled by the movement of the signal into and out of thecasing.

11. A signal for automobiles of the character specified, comprising acasing having one side open, a signal within the casing and pivotallyconnected thereto to swing into and out of the casing, a spring actingnormally to swing the signal outwardly, a resilient catch for holdingthe signal in inosition within the casing, means operable cm a distancefor releasing the withinthe casing, and means catch, and means,controlled by the return movement of the steering post to normalposition, for moving the signal to inoperative position.

12., A signal system for automobiles, comprising signals pivoted toswing into approximately horizontal or danger position, or intoapproximately vertical or safety position, springs normally acting toswing the signals into danger position, releasable catches for engagingand holding the signals in inoperative position, means for releasing atwill the catch of any desired sig nal, a common means for returning allof the signals to original position, and means controlled "by themovement of the steering wheel of the vehicle for actuating the saidreturning means.

13. A signal system for automobiles, comprising acasing, a signalpivoted within the casing to'swing into and out of exposed position,means acting normally to swing the signal into exposed position,releasable means for holding the signal within the casing,means'operable from a distance for releasing the holding means, meansfor re-' turning the signal to inoperative position controlled by thereturn movement of the steering post of the automobile to normalposition, for actuating the returning means.

14. A signal system for automobiles, comprising a series of signalspivoted to the automobile for swinging movement into approximatelyvertical or approximately horizontal position, a spring normally actingto swing each signal into approximately horizontal position, areleasable catch for each signal for holding the signal in approximatelyvertical position, a common means in connection with the signals at eachside of the vehicle for simultaneously returning thesaid signals tovertical position, and means in connection with post of the automobileand operated by the return of the steering post to normal position afterthe automobile has been turned for actuating the returning means at theside of the vehicle toward which it has been turned,

WILLIAM EZEKIEL JONES.

Witnesses:

G. PERRY BOHN, Eznnnan Jones,

the steering

